Much of the material on this well-packed CD has been culled from previously released Opera Rara recordings; the new selections are scenes from Donizetti’s Buondelmonte and Torquato Tasso and from Balfe’s Falstaff. Along the way we get a fantastic Jennifer Larmore as Falliero–fluid, manly, and with a fine sense of drama; William Matteuzzi crooning a lullaby from La muette de Portici; Rossini’s Desdemona sung with suitable desperation by Elizabeth Futral; a villainous Rockwell Blake leading a quartet from Pia de’ Tolomei that includes Nelly Miricioiu, Garry Magee, and Sara Fulgoni; an equally villainous Bruce Ford, with a big, handsome tone and ideal Donizettian style in a quartet from Zoraida di Granata, and more–all of which are up to Opera Rara’s usual high standards, both vocally and orchestrally (and chorally, when required).
The new material is equally interesting. Buondelmonte is an opera Donizetti had to present when the censors made him drop Maria Stuarda. The quartet we get here is Maria’s final prayer, with a new recitative and, of course, new words. It’s an oath-swearing ensemble with male chorus and it’s fascinating. The trio from Balfe’s Falstaff (his only Italian opera, though composed for an English theatre) is the familiar scene where the women are comparing the note Falstaff has sent to them. It’s a delightful piece, and perhaps the whole opera is worth hearing. Finally, the tenor aria from Torquato Tasso is interesting as well–Tasso has been recorded complete (it was available on Bongoivanni) and it’s a very good work. Accompanying notes are informative; no texts or translations. If you love the music of the first half of the 19th century, well-performed, this is for you. The sound quality varies–it’s always acceptable, but occasionally it blares.
